Chapter 9 : To Do List & Timeline

Things to consider for your exhibition:

1. Mutual Commitment:
When you are having an exhibtion in a formal or informal gallery, it is a good idea to have some kind of contract from the gallery- this is to protect both parties involved. Discuss this with your gallery to make sure you are clear about all of the terms about shipping / return shipping, exhibition cost, post cards, insurance, publicity, installation / de-installation, opening food, paint, tools, sales tax, payment and any special needs. Do you need to write a press release?

2. Are there physical restrictions?
Can you drill into the walls? the floor? Can you paint the walls? How big are the door and elevators? What are the walls made of and do they have weight limits? Wood or metal studs? Sheet rock, fabric or brick walls? Are there sound or light issues? What kind of power does the gallery have? What kind of lighting does the gallery have? Are there public access issues to consider?

3. Setting up an exhibition:
Do you need help unpacking & setting up your show? Does the gallery provide assistance to help you? What are the set up hours of the gallery? What equipment will the gallery provide (drill, screws, level, ladder, measuring tape). Will the gallery make and hang the title for your show? Is there a loading dock – where do you park when you unload? Can the gallery have storage for your empty boxes?

4. During the opening:
Be professional in dress and communication. Do you want to wear a name tag? Be on time and stay until the opening is over. Speak with people you don’t know at your opening…..“Hi there, thank you for coming tonight. Do you have any questions about the work?” (this is very important, it is the responsibility of you and the gallery owner to interact with the public). Often the public is interested in the work but is not sure what to ask, help them out a little by explaining your ideas or techniques – don’t wait for people to come up to you, this is your chance to educate the public about what you do.

4. During the exhibition:
Does your work need daily attention or weekly maintenance? Do you need to show the gallery attendant what to do? How will the gallery staff mark work is that is sold? Does the gallery need your resume, price list, biography for the public to take with them? If you want people to touch or interact with your work, “plant” friends or gallery folks around the exhibition to get this started.

5. End of the exhibition:
Leave the gallery better than how you found it: patch, sand the screw holes, check with the gallery if they want spot painting, of if they want you to paint the entire wall. Clean up all peanuts and bubble wrap. Thanks the gallery, leave a note of email later.

Timeline:

For any one not in the practice of delivering work to a gallery that is too hot to touch on the day of the opening…the following information might be interesting and perhaps, even useful.Three months before exhibition